Cost of living in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 48% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 409 prices entered by 57 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 9% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $23 | $24 | - 3% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 | $13 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 | $4.73 | + 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.20 | $1.01 | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.51 | $4.51 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.27 | $4.64 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $7 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $5.26 | $3.77 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $4.10 | $2.03 | + 102% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.82 | $4.05 | - 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | $20 | - 23% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.77 | $3.27 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.90 | $2.42 | + 61% | |
| Housing | + 112% | |||
| Housing in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 112% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $5,288 | $1,750 | + 202% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,550 | $1,495 | + 138% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $439 | $226 | + 94% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,240 | $1,594 | + 103% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,438 | $1,051 | + 132% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $160 | $141 | + 14% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $69 | $42 | + 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 | $269 | + 1% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $214 | $118 | + 81% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $11 | + 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $36 | $35 | + 3% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is about the same as in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $64 | $62 | + 4% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $44 | $47 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $101 | $105 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $161 | $111 | + 45% | |
| Transportation | + 35% | |||
| Transportation in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 35% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $28,152 | $29,083 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.93 | $0.84 | + 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $90 | $58 | + 57% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 | $20 | - 6% | |
| Personal Care | + 28% | |||
| Personal Care in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 28% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $4.99 | $8 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $25 | $27 | - 9% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $191 | $86 | + 122% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 | $7 | + 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.83 | $5.28 | - 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 | $3.72 | + 120% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.04 | $4.05 | - 0% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.99 | $2.22 | - 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 | $25 | + 27% | |
| Entertainment | + 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Boston, Massachusetts (United States) is 26% more expensive than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Boston, Massachusetts | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $67 | $51 | + 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $32 | $22 | + 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $241 | $271 | - 11% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $120 | $93 | + 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 | $12 | + 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.78 | $4.34 | + 33% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 | $7 | + 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $497 | $627 | - 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.47 | $0.39 | + 18% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $91 | $44 | + 106% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $14 | $9 | + 54% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 48% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 409 prices entered by 57 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 27, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least $7,673 in Boston, Massachusetts to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,200 in Columbus, Ohio.
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